Sunderland chase a Championship play-off spot away to Preston North End at Deepdale on the final day of 2022-23 Sky Bet Championship.
Victory would see Preston finish 10th if Swansea fail to win elsewhere, whilst Sunderland need a win to stand chance of reaching the play-offs – most likely in sixth place and set up a play-off semi-final against Luton.
Tony Mowbray’s Black Cats though need Blackburn to avoid defeat at Millwall and for West Brom to fail to win elsewhere or win but don’t overhaul their goal difference if they’re to secure a play-off spot.
Fifth place is also possible for Sunderland with a win if Coventry lose at Middlesbrough and results elsewhere swing their way.
Team News
Ben Whiteman is set to be absent for Preston after he missed their defeat at Sheffield United last weekend with a groin injury.
Greg Cunningham (hamstring), Robbie Brady (calf), Alan Browne, Emil Riis (both knee) and Ched Evans (unspecified) remain absent.
Sunderland have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-2 draw at home to Watford last weekend.
Jewison Bennette (shoulder), Dan Ballard (hamstring), Aji Alese (thigh), Danny Batth, Corry Evans (both knee), Elliot Embleton (ankle) and Ross Stewart (Achilles) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Preston entertain Sunderland at Deepdale at 3pm BST on Bank Holiday Monday 8 May, live on Sky Sports Football in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Preston are unbeaten in their last six league meetings against Sunderland (W4, D2).
- Sunderland have won just one of their last five league visits to Deepdale (W1, D2, L2).
- Preston are looking to go seven consecutive games unbeaten against Sunderland for the first time since November 1951 – November 1954.
- Preston are unbeaten in four matches at home this season when they have scored in injury-time (W3, D1).
- Each of Sunderland’s last three away goals have been scored by Dennis Cirkin (W2).
Prediction
Although their play-off hopes are over after a late defensive meltdown at Sheffield Utd, Preston will be hoping to finish a progressive season on a high but they will need to deliver a more energetic attack than what was produced at Bramall Lane in a lacklustre display.
Manager, Ryan Lowe is therefore wise in his post-match comments towards his squad about either stepping up or moving on, because this game now is key for several players to impress in hope of retaining their place heading into next season.
Sunderland meanwhile are unbeaten in their last eight games of which they only won three times and kept two clean sheets, so it is imperative that they avoid another scrappy performance and get the win to give themselves hope of a play-off spot.
Tony Mowbray however has to be worried about how his team defended corner-kicks against Watford last weekend – with two conceded headers scored from corners, which can’t be replicated here nor can their wasteful end product because a play-off spot could boil down to goal difference.
On that note, I feel like Preston’s mentality could be key because if they turn up already on the beaches despite their decent goalscoring form at home, Sunderland should take a comfortable win otherwise a draw could be on the cards given the defensive vulnerabilities in both teams.
Prediction: Preston 1-2 Sunderland
Result: Preston 0-3 Sunderland
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